Sonics Notebook: Sonics unlikely to deal Wilcox

Other teams' cap issues give Seattle leverage in talks

The possibility of the Sonics using the sign-and-trade method to appease Chris Wilcox's contract demands and acquire another key piece is highly unlikely given the lack of teams under the salary cap.

Wilcox's agent, Jeff Fried, has said he would prefer a sign-and-trade deal if the Sonics cannot agree to a contract with the power forward. That may be easier said than done because Wilcox is a base-year salary player, meaning the Sonics could only acquire 50 percent of Wilcox's salary in an exchange.

For a team to facilitate a sign-and-trade, it would have to have space under the salary cap to accept Wilcox's new contract or send the Sonics multiple players for the salaries to match. The Sonics, with a roster that's already two deep at each position, don't appear likely to change their team chemistry by acquiring two or three new players.

There are five teams currently under the salary cap: Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Toronto and New Orleans, and none of those have pressing needs for a power forward. That would seem to put the Sonics at an advantage during contract negotiations, but the two sides appear amicable and are continuing to communicate.

Wilcox would prefer a contract similar to the six-year, $60 million agreed to by Denver's Nene last week. The Sonics likely would prefer their midlevel exception at five years and $30 million, making the two sides "very far apart," according to Fried.

Sonics general manager Rick Sund said "it does the team or player no good to negotiate through the media." But he maintained the team's top priority this summer is to sign Wilcox, who averaged 14.1 points and 8.2 rebounds in 29 games after being acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers.

MOORE RETURNS: Forward-center Mikki Moore exercised the player option on his contract and will return to the club with a $1.07 million salary. Moore averaged 3.3 points and 2.8 rebounds in 47 games last season, his first in Seattle.

Moore served as a valuable mentor for centers Johan Petro and Robert Swift as well as providing spurts of energy off the bench.

"He's a good team guy," Sund said. "Every team needs a guy like him. He's a real good teammate."

Moore is expected to serve as a backup to Wilcox and Nick Collison at power forward.

SENE UPDATE: Sund is still negotiating the terms of a contract with first-round pick Mouhamed Saer Sene, who is expected to play in the Rocky Mountain Revue, which begins Thursday in Salt Lake City.

But like most first-round picks, Sene likely won't play in the summer league until he's signed to a contract. That should happen by Tuesday, when he will meet with the media and practices with the remainder of his Rocky Mountain Revue teammates.

SUMMER LEAGUE SQUAD: The Sonics expect second-rounders Denham Brown and Yotam Halperin to play in Salt Lake City, but the two aren't expected to sign contracts until perhaps later in the summer.

Swingman Mickael Gelabale is closing in on signing with the Sonics, but he will spend the summer with the French National Team -- along with Petro -- and is expected to report to camp in October. The Sonics have to buy out Gelabale's contract from Real Madrid, but that is considered a formality.